[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 112 (Wednesday, June 11, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Pages 34977-34979]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-14667]



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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

[Program Announcement 03076]


Development of a National Healthy Homes Training Center and 
Network; Notice of Availability of Funds

    Application Deadline: July 28, 2003.

A. Authority and Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number

    This program is authorized under sections 301, 311 and 317(c) of 
the Public Health Service Act, [42 U.S.C. sections 241, 243 NS 247B-4], 
as amended. The Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance number is 
93.283.

B. Purpose

    The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announces the 
availability of fiscal year 2003 funds for a cooperative agreement 
program for the development of a national healthy homes training center 
and network. This program addresses the ``Healthy People 2010'' focus 
area(s) Environmental Health, Injury and Violence Prevention, and 
Public Health Infrastructure.
    Housing conditions have an important impact on public health. This 
project is designed to address the training and education needs of 
environmental public health managers and practitioners and housing 
specialists and inspectors whose work-related activities result in 
healthy and safe housing environments. Specifically, the purpose of the 
project is to develop a National Healthy Homes Training Center and 
Network (hereafter referred to as the Center). Note: The term ``Healthy 
Homes'' refers to a coordinated, comprehensive, systematic, and 
holistic approach to preventing disease and injury that result from 
environmental hazards and deficiencies related to housing.
    The Center will develop a training center and network to deliver 
appropriate course material through formal programs, both at the Center 
and other locations, based on state and local needs. The Center also 
will develop internet-based course materials. At least one on-site 
pilot training program will be conducted and evaluated within the first 
operational year. In subsequent years, depending upon available 
funding, at least two training programs will be conducted on-site, and 
two training programs will be conducted off-site, determined by the 
award recipient with input from CDC.
    The Center will address urban, rural, and Native American health 
and housing-related issues that impact public health and will 
complement the CDC draft Healthy Homes Training Center and Network 
Initiative (see Addendum II--all addendums referenced in this 
announcement are posted with the announcement on the CDC web site.) The 
Center's training programs will serve as a forum to (1) exchange 
information about federal, state, tribal, and local healthy homes 
related activities; (2) introduce new healthy homes research findings; 
(3) discuss program gaps and potential resources; and (4) create new 
opportunities for networking, collaboration, and partnerships.
    Measurable outcomes of the program will be in alignment with the 
following performance goal of the National Center for Environmental 
Health (NCEH): To increase the capacity of state and local health 
departments and local housing authorities to deliver environmental 
public health services.
    The program will also increase the understanding of the 
relationship between substandard, inadequate, or unsafe housing and 
health effects.

C. Eligible Applicants

    Applications may be submitted by the following:
    1. Academic Centers for Public Health Preparedness: A project of 
the Public Health Practice Program Office, CDC, that operates through 
the Association of Schools of Public Health (see Addendum III). These 
Centers are part of a national system for competency-based training for 
the public health work force and have an infrastructure in place to 
improve the competencies of the public health and housing work forces. 
Note: To create healthy homes, strategic partnerships must be developed 
with public health agencies and organizations, local housing agencies, 
and other appropriate disciplines. An applicant must provide evidence 
of collaboration with those agencies and organizations that have 
complementary responsibilities, and must describe how each contributes 
to the overall goals and objectives as described in the application.
    There must be evidence of partnerships or working relationships 
with the following: state and/or local health departments, local 
housing agencies, an undergraduate college with an environmental health 
curriculum, and a national research and training organization with 
vested interest and responsibility that supports creating and 
maintaining healthy homes.
    2. National Healthy Homes Research and Training Organizations: 
National, non-profit organizations with a mission that promotes through 
research, training, education, and outreach the protection of citizens 
from health and safety risks associated with inadequate, substandard, 
or unsafe housing conditions.

    Note: To create healthy homes, strategic partnerships must be 
developed with public health agencies and organizations, local 
housing agencies, and other appropriate disciplines. An applicant 
must provide evidence of collaboration with those agencies and 
organizations that have complementary responsibilities, and must 
describe how each contributes to the overall goals and objectives as 
described in the application. There must be evidence of partnerships 
or working relationships with the following: state and/or local 
health departments, local housing agencies, and an undergraduate 
college with an environmental health curriculum with vested interest 
and responsibility that supports creating and maintaining healthy 
homes.

    Applicants must demonstrate that the mission of the organization is 
committed to improving public health infrastructure and manpower 
development. Applications that do not include the above information 
will be determined as non-responsive and returned without review.

    Note: Title 2 of the United States Code section 1611 states that 
an organization described in section 501c(4) of the Internal Revenue 
Code that engages in lobbying activities is not eligible to receive 
Federal funds constituting an award, grant or loan.

D. Funding

Availability of Funds

    Approximately $300,000 is available in FY 2003 to fund one award. 
It is expected that the award will begin on or about September 15, 
2003, and will be made for a 12-month initial budget period. Additional 
years will be for 12-month periods, within a project period of up to 
three years. Funding estimates may change.
    Continuation awards within an approved project period will be made 
on the basis of satisfactory progress as evidenced by required reports 
and the availability of funds.

Use of Funds

    The recipient may use funds for the development, implementation, 
and operation of the National Healthy Homes Training Center and 
Network. This may include support for staff and materials to develop 
the curriculum and electronic, classroom, seminar and announcement 
materials; and costs related to implementing and conducting

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the training programs on- and off-site, including subcontracting costs 
for experts to assist in developing the curriculum, course materials, 
and conduct the training.

Recipient Financial Participation

    Matching funds are not required.

E. Program Requirements

    In conducting activities to achieve the purpose of this project, 
the recipient will be responsible for the activities listed in 1. 
Recipient Activities. CDC will be responsible for the activities listed 
in 2. CDC Activities.
    1. Recipient Activities:
    a. Organize an eight to ten-member Healthy Homes Training Work 
Group, with input and approval from CDC and HUD, of environmental 
public health and housing experts to advise the award recipient on 
matters related to the development of the curriculum and course 
materials.
    b. Develop the National Healthy Homes Training Center and Network, 
including a curriculum that includes a variety of course and seminar 
materials that can be presented on- and off-site.

    Note: The curriculum and all course materials will be submitted 
to CDC for review and approval. Courses, seminars, and related 
materials will focus on the concept of healthy homes, methods of 
inspection and approaches to remediation, evaluation, and resource 
identification to create healthy and safe homes.
    c. Conduct at least one training session within the first year 
of operation, limited to 15 enrollees.
    d. Evaluate the activities, process, and outcome of the Healthy 
Homes Training Center and Network. The evaluation will include an 
analysis of the curriculum, and participant assessments.

    2. CDC Activities:
    a. Serve as technical consultants to the Healthy Homes Training 
Work Group that provides recommendations to the award recipient on 
matters related to the development of the curriculum and course 
materials. This includes ongoing consultation with appropriate 
recipient staff and other experts.
    b. Review and approve the curriculum and course materials, and 
participate with the recipient and others in conducting courses. This 
includes identification of presenters, selection of the pilot training 
site and future training sites, and onsite participation of selected 
CDC experts in all workshops.
    c. Participate with the award recipient in the selection of the 
pilot-training site and assist the award recipient in the evaluation of 
the pilot training program.
    d. Assist the recipient in an analysis of the curriculum, the 
evaluation of courses, and participant assessments. This will include 
review and approval of evaluation materials.

F. Content

Applications

    The Program Announcement title and number must appear in the 
application. Use the information in the Program Requirements, Other 
Requirements, and Evaluation Criteria sections to develop the 
application content. Your application will be evaluated on the criteria 
listed so it is important to follow them in laying out your program 
plan.
    The narrative should be no more than 20 pages, double-spaced, 
printed on one side, with one-inch margins, and unreduced 12-point 
font. Appendices should not exceed 30 pages, and curriculum vitae 
summaries are acceptable.
    The narrative should consist of a Statement of Need and Plan; 
Collaboration and Partnerships; Personnel and Technical Experts; 
Objectives and Methods; Timeline; Evaluation; and Budget. The Timeline 
should address activities to be conducted over the entire three-year 
project period.

G. Submission and Deadline

Application Forms

    Submit the signed original and two copies of the application PHS 
5161-1 (OMB Number 0920-0428. Forms are available at the following 
Internet address: http://www.cdc.gov/od/pgo/forminfo.htm.
    If you do not have access to the Internet, or if you have 
difficulty accessing the forms on-line, you may contact the CDC 
Procurement and Grants Office Technical Information Management Section 
(PGO-TIM) at: 770-488-2700. Application forms can be mailed to you.

Submission Date, Time, and Address

    The application must be received by 4 p.m. Eastern Time, July 28, 
2003. Submit the application to: Technical Information Management--
PA03076, CDC Procurement and Grants Office, 2920 Brandywine 
Road, Atlanta, GA 30341-4146.
    Applications may not be submitted electronically.

CDC Acknowledgment of Application Receipt

    A postcard will be mailed by PGO-TIM, notifying you that CDC has 
received your application.

Deadline

    Letters of intent and applications shall be considered as meeting 
the deadline if they are received before 4 p.m. Eastern Time on the 
deadline date. Any applicant who sends their application by the United 
States Postal Service or commercial delivery services must ensure that 
the carrier will be able to guarantee delivery of the application by 
the closing date and time. If an application is received after closing 
due to (1) carrier error, when the carrier accepted the package with a 
guarantee for delivery by the closing date and time, or (2) significant 
weather delays or natural disasters, CDC will upon receipt of proper 
documentation, consider the application as having been received by the 
deadline.
    Any application that does not meet the above criteria will not be 
eligible for competition, and will be discarded. The applicant will be 
notified of their failure to meet the submission requirements.

H. Evaluation Criteria

Application

    Applicants are required to provide measures of effectiveness that 
will demonstrate the accomplishment of the various identified 
objectives of the cooperative agreement. Measures of effectiveness must 
relate to the performance goal stated in the purpose section of this 
announcement. Measures must be objective and quantitative and must 
measure the intended outcome. These measures of effectiveness must be 
submitted with the application and will be an element of evaluation.
    An independent review group appointed by CDC will evaluate each 
application against the following criteria:
1. Statement of Need and Plan (20 points)
    a. The extent to which the applicant understands the need, 
requirements, problems, and complexities of this healthy homes work 
force training project, and the need to increase the capacity and 
performance of the environmental public health and housing work forces.
    b. The adequacy of the operational plan to develop and implement 
the National Healthy Homes Training Center and Network, including the 
curriculum, course materials, and to conduct two pilot training 
programs.
2. Collaboration and Partnership (20 points)
    The extent to which the applicant demonstrates their ability to 
collaborate on this project with other agencies, organizations, and 
academic institutions that have a vested interest and responsibility 
that supports creating and

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maintaining healthy homes. Strategic partners will include national 
advocacy organizations, public health agencies and organizations, local 
housing agencies, and other disciplines. Letters of support from these 
collaborating agencies and organizations must include detailed 
information on the level of commitment and support they will provide to 
the project in terms of personnel and other resources.
3. Personnel and Technical Expertise (20 points)
    The extent to which the applicant describes the qualifications of 
the staff and subcontractors to successfully accomplish the project 
goals, objectives and activities, including development and 
implementation of the National Healthy Homes Training Center and 
Network, development of the curriculum and course-related materials, 
conducting one pilot training program, and the evaluation plan.
4. Objectives and Activities (20 points)
    The extent to which the proposed objectives and their activities 
are clearly stated, realistic, time-phased, and related to the goals of 
the project.
5. Timeline (10 points)
    The extent to which the applicant presents a concise and realistic 
timeline for the entire project period to accomplish the goals, 
objectives and activities to develop, implement, and operate the 
National Healthy Homes Training Center and Network.
6. Evaluation Plan (10 points)
    The extent to which the applicant presents a quality evaluation 
plan for the various initiatives of the project.
7. Budget (Not scored)
    The extent to which the applicant provides justification for budget 
expenditures as well as their appropriateness to activities proposed in 
the project. The applicant should include costs for one person to 
travel to Atlanta, GA (three-overnight stays) to attend the 6th 
National Environmental Health Conference, December 3-5, 2003.

I. Other Requirements

Technical Reporting Requirements

    Provide CDC with original plus two copies of--
    1. Interim progress report, no less than 90 days before the end of 
the budget period. The progress report will serve as your non-competing 
continuation application, and must contain the following elements:
    a. Current Budget Period Activities Objectives.
    b. Current Budget Period Financial Progress.
    c. New Budget Period Program Proposed Activity Objectives.
    d. Detailed Line-Item Budget and Justification.
    e. Additional Requested Information.
    2. Financial status report, no more than 90 days after the end of 
the budget period.
    3. Final financial and performance reports, no more than 90 days 
after the end of the project period.
    Send all reports to the Grants Management Specialist identified in 
the ``Where to Obtain Additional Information'' section of this 
announcement.

Additional Requirements

    The following additional requirements are applicable to this 
program:

AR-10 Smoke-Free Workplace Requirements
AR-11 Healthy People 2010
AR-12 Lobbying Restrictions
AR-14 Accounting System Requirements
AR-15 Proof of Non-Profit Status

    Executive Order 12372 does not apply to this program.
    For a complete description of each additional requirement, see 
Addendum I of the program announcement as posted on the CDC web site.

J. Where To Obtain Additional Information

    This and other CDC announcements, the necessary applications, and 
associated forms can be found on the CDC web site, Internet address: 
http://www.cdc.gov.
    Click on ``Funding'' then ``Grants and Cooperative Agreements''.
    For general questions about this announcement, contact: Technical 
Information Management, CDC Procurement and Grants Office, 2920 
Brandywine Road, Atlanta, GA 30341-4146, Telephone: 770-488-2700.
    For business management and budget assistance, contact: Ms. Mildred 
Garner, Grants Management Office, Centers for Disease Control and 
Prevention, 2920 Brandywine Road, Atlanta, GA 30341-4146. Telephone: 
(770) 488-2745. E-mail address: [email protected].
    For program technical assistance, contact: Mr. Jerry Hershovitz, 
Associate Director for Program Management, Division of Emergency and 
Environmental Health Services, Centers for Disease Control and 
Prevention, 4770 Buford Highway, Mailstop F30, Atlanta, GA 30341-3724, 
(770) 488-4542, E-mail address: [email protected].

    Dated: June 3, 2003.
Sandra R. Manning,
Director, Procurement and Grants Office, Centers for Disease Control 
and Prevention.
[FR Doc. 03-14667 Filed 6-10-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4163-18-P